South West Trains' (SWT) customers will have more than 17,000 news spaces on the rail providers trains after a £65m roll-out of additional carriages.

SWT secured the extra carriages as part of a government programme which will introduce more than 250 new carriages by 2018.

So far 81 extra carriages are running already with a further 108 carriages due early next year.

The company claims that this will provide 30% more space for passengers during peak times, with the new carriages featuring wider doors, improved seating, full CCTV and new flooring.

Christian Roth, SWT engineering director, said: “It is excellent news that the vitally important roll out of 108 additional carriages to our network is now 75% complete. These new carriages are not only providing much more space for passengers on many of our busiest services, they also include significantly improved facilities too.

“On average, we are introducing one new carriage every week and by early next year all 108 carriages will be in service for passengers.

“This is a significant step towards the biggest improvements this network has seen for decades and is a major part of our promise to increase space for passengers by 30%.”

The investment to increase capacity for commuters includes work to lengthen platforms at London Waterloo in 2017 to allow for longer trains.

Rail Minister Claire Perry said: “We want to see better journeys on a railway fit for the 21st century.‎

“That is why we are investing in new, more comfortable carriages for thousands of South West Trains’ customers. Passengers will benefit from more space, more seats and better facilities.

“It’s all part of our long-term economic plan to make the biggest investment in our railways since the Victorian era."

The government scheme supporting the investment is called the High Level Output Specification Programme.

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